Refrigerator with a top surface having a notched profile for providing additional storage capacity

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments provide a refrigerator that includes a temperature-controlled storage cavity, a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, and a top surface. The temperature-controlled storage cavity includes a first storage area and a second storage area. At least a portion of the front surface provides access to the temperature-controlled cavity. The top surface includes a front portion adjacent and generally perpendicular to the front surface. The top surface includes a rear portion adjacent and generally perpendicular to the rear surface. The rear portion is below the front portion. The top surface includes a central portion connecting the front portion and the rear portion. The first storage area is below the rear portion and between the front surface and the rear surface. The second storage area is above the rear portion, below the front portion, and between the front surface and the central portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to refrigerators. More specifically, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator having a top surface with a notched profile for accommodating upper cabinets such that additional capacity of a temperature-controlled storage cavity is provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a typical refrigerator as is known in the art. Referring to FIG. 1 by way of example, existing refrigerators 10 may include a temperature-controlled storage cavity 17 defined within a top surface 11, bottom surface 12, front surface 13, rear surface 14, and side surfaces (not shown). The temperature-controlled storage cavity 17 can include one or more of a refrigeration portion for maintaining a temperature above freezing and a freezer portion for maintaining a temperature below freezing. The front surface 13 can include one or more doors and/or drawers for accessing the temperature-controlled storage cavity 17. The refrigerator 10 may include one or more hinges 18 for rotatably coupling the doors to the refrigerator 10.

Existing refrigerators 10 are generally rectangular-shaped such that the refrigerator 10 fits in a free standing refrigerator “cutout” in a kitchen. Typical existing “cutouts” may be, for example, from thirty (30) to thirty-six (36) inches wide and from sixty (60) to seventy (70) inches tall. The size of a kitchen refrigerator “cutout” can be defined by one or more of a floor, walls, and/or cabinets. Referring to FIG. 1, a height of the typical rectangular-shaped refrigerator 10 is limited to the distance between the floor 12 and the upper cabinet 20 when the refrigerator is placed in the cutout adjacent wall 32. If a user desires a taller refrigerator to provide additional temperature-controlled storage capacity, the user may remove or modify upper cabinet 20 to provide room for the taller refrigerator.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments provide a refrigerator having a top surface with a notched profile that provides additional capacity of a temperature-controlled storage cavity, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a typical refrigerator as is known in the art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary refrigerator having a top surface with a notched profile, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary refrigerator having a top surface with a notched profile, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary refrigerator having a top surface with a notched profile, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are related to free standing refrigerators. More specifically, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator having a top surface with a notched profile for accommodating upper cabinets such that additional capacity of a temperature-controlled storage cavity is provided.

A representative embodiment of the present invention provides users of refrigerators with additional temperature-controlled storage capacity without having to remove existing upper cabinets by providing a refrigerator with a top surface having a notched profile. The top surface of the refrigerator may include a rear portion sitting, for example, below the existing upper cabinets and a front portion, substantially parallel with the rear portion, that is above the rear portion and coupled to the rear portion by a vertical portion such that the top surface extends, for example, generally around a bottom and front surface of the upper cabinets to define the notched profile.

Various embodiments provide a refrigerator 100 that includes a temperature-controlled storage cavity 117, a front surface 113, a rear surface 114 opposite the front surface 113, and a top surface 111. The temperature-controlled storage cavity 117 includes a first storage area 117 a and a second storage area 117 b. At least a portion of the front surface 113 provides access to the temperature-controlled cavity 117. The top surface 111 includes a front portion 111 a adjacent and generally perpendicular to the front surface 113. The top surface 111 includes a rear portion 111 c adjacent and generally perpendicular to the rear surface 114. The rear portion 111 c is below the front portion 111 a. The top surface 111 includes a central portion 111 b connecting the front portion 111 a and the rear portion 111 c. The first storage area 117 a is below the rear portion 111 c and between the front surface 113 and the rear surface 114. The second storage area 117 b is above the rear portion 111 c, below the front portion 111 a, and between the front surface 113 and the central portion 111 b.

As utilized herein, the terms “exemplary” or “example” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, the term “e.g.” introduces a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary refrigerator 100 having a top surface 111 with a notched profile, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary refrigerator 100 having a top surface 111 with a notched profile, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary refrigerator 100 having a top surface 111 with a notched profile, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a refrigerator 100 comprises a top surface 111, a bottom surface 112, a front surface 113, a rear surface 114, side surfaces 115, 116, and a temperature-controlled storage cavity 117. The temperature-controlled storage cavity 117 includes an additional storage area 117 b that supplements a typical storage area 117 a as discussed in further detail below. The temperature-controlled storage cavity 117 is formed between the top 111, bottom 112, front 113, rear 114, and side 115, 116 surfaces of the refrigerator 100 and can include one or more of a refrigeration portion for maintaining a temperature above freezing and a freezer portion for maintaining a temperature below freezing. The refrigeration and/or freezer portions may be in either or both of the typical storage area 117 a and the additional storage area 117 b. In various embodiments, the additional storage area 117 b may be configured as an ice maker, beverage storage compartment, refrigerated wine storage, a medicine locker, dairy storage, and/or long term storage, among other things.

The front surface 113 can include one or more doors and/or drawers for accessing the temperature-controlled storage cavity 117. For example, the front surface 113 and temperature-controlled storage cavity 117 can be configured as a side-by-side refrigerator and freezer, a French door refrigerator top with bottom freezer drawer, a top freezer and bottom refrigerator, a top refrigerator with two door bottom freezer, all freezer, all refrigerator, or any suitable configuration. In an example embodiment, a height from the bottom surface 112 to a top of the front surface 113 is greater than a height from the bottom surface 112 to a top of the rear surface 114. For example, a top of the front surface 113 may be approximately eighty-four (84) inches from the bottom surface 112 and a top of the rear surface 114 may be approximately sixty-nine (69) inches from the bottom surface 112. The rear surface 114 is opposite the front surface 113 such that the rear surface 114 is, for example, adjacent wall 32 when the refrigerator is positioned in a kitchen “cutout.”

The bottom surface 112 may be a base for the refrigerator 100. The bottom surface 112 may, for example, sit on a floor 30. The bottom surface may comprise legs, rollers, pads, or the like for supporting the refrigerator 100 in relation to the floor 30. The legs, rollers, pads, or the like can be adjustable to, for example, level the refrigerator. The legs, roller, pads, or the like may protect the floor from damage, such as scratching, and/or assist in allowing the refrigerator to be slid or rolled on floor 30. The side surfaces 115, 116 are the sides of the refrigerator 100. The side surfaces 115, 116 are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the top 111, bottom, 112, front 113, and rear 114 surfaces. The side surfaces 115, 116 may have a notched or stepped upper profile that corresponds with the top surface 111, as described below, such that refrigerator 100 may fit around upper cabinet 20, among other things.

The top surface 111 comprises a front portion 111 a, a central/vertical portion 111 b, and a rear portion 111 c. In an example embodiment, the front 111 a and rear 111 c portions are generally parallel with each other and the bottom surface 112, and the central portion 111 b is generally perpendicular with and connects the front 111 a and rear 111 c portions to provide a top surface 111 with a notched or stepped profile. For example, an angle between the front portion 111 a and the central portion 111 b is approximately ninety (90) degrees. The angle between the rear portion 111 c and the central portion 111 b may also be approximately ninety (90) degrees. The front portion 111 a is adjacent and generally perpendicular to the front surface 113. The rear portion 111 c is adjacent and generally perpendicular to the rear surface 114.

In an embodiment, the front portion 111 a is above the rear portion 111 c. As an example, a height of the front portion 111 a from the bottom surface 112 is greater than a height of the rear portion 111 c from the bottom surface 112. In various embodiments, the height of the front portion 111 a from the bottom surface 112 may be approximately eighty-four (84) inches, the height of the rear portion 111 b from the bottom surface 112 may be approximately sixty-nine (69) inches, and the height of the central portion 111 b from the rear portion 111 c to the front portion 111 a may be approximately fifteen (15) inches, for example.

In certain embodiments, a depth of the rear portion 111 c from the central portion 111 b to the rear surface 114 may each be between thirteen (13) and twenty-five (25) inches to accommodate upper cabinet 20 depths of twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) inches, for example. A depth of the front portion 111 a between the front surface 113 and the central portion 111 b may be, for example, eight (8) to twenty (20) inches. In an example embodiment, a depth of the front portion 111 a is sixteen (16) inches and the depth of the rear portion 111 c is fifteen (15) inches.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the notched or stepped profile of the top surface 111 provides an additional temperature-controlled storage area 117 b of cavity 117 above the rear portion 111 c of the top surface 111, below the front portion 111 a of the top surface 111, and between the front surface 113 and the central/vertical portion 111 c of the top surface 111. The additional storage area 117 b may be contiguous with or separated from storage area 117 a. The additional storage area 117 b may be configured as an ice maker, beverage storage compartment, refrigerated wine storage, a medicine locker, dairy storage, and/or long term storage, among other things. The additional storage area 117 b can be a refrigeration area, freezer area, or provide refrigeration and freezer areas or compartments, for example.

Although devices, methods, and systems according to the present invention may have been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternative, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the scope of the invention as defined by this disclosure and appended diagrams.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator comprising: a temperature-controlled storage cavity comprising a first storage area and a second storage area, a front surface, wherein at least a portion of the front surface provides access to the temperature-controlled storage cavity; a rear surface opposite the front surface; and a top surface comprising: a front portion adjacent and generally perpendicular to the front surface, a rear portion adjacent and generally perpendicular to the rear surface, the rear portion being below the front portion, and a central portion connecting the front portion and the rear portion, wherein the first storage area is below the rear portion and between the front surface and the rear surface, wherein the second storage area is above the rear portion, below the front portion, and between the front surface and the central portion.
 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the first storage area and the second storage area are contiguous.
 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, comprising a bottom surface generally perpendicular to the front surface and the rear surface.
 4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein a height from the bottom surface to the front portion of the top surface is approximately eighty-four (84) inches.
 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein a height from the bottom surface to the rear portion of the top surface is approximately sixty-nine (69) inches.
 6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein a height of the central portion from the rear portion to the front portion is approximately fifteen (15) inches.
 7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein an angle between the front portion and the central portion is approximately ninety (90) degrees.
 8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein an angle between the central portion and the rear portion is approximately ninety (90) degrees.
 9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the front surface is taller than the rear surface.
 10. The refrigerator according to claim 3, comprising generally parallel side surfaces extending between the front surface and the rear surface and between the top surface and the bottom surface, the side surfaces comprising a notched profile that corresponds with the top surface.
 11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a depth of the rear portion from the central portion to the rear surface is between thirteen (13) and twenty-five (25) inches.
 12. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a depth of the front portion from the front surface to the central portion is between eight (8) and twenty (20) inches.
 13. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the second storage area is one of: an ice maker, a beverage storage compartment, a refrigerated wine storage, a medicine locker, or a dairy storage.
 14. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the front surface and the temperature-controlled storage cavity are configured as one of: a side-by-side refrigerator and freezer, a French door refrigerator top with bottom freezer drawer, a top freezer and bottom refrigerator, a top refrigerator with two door bottom freezer, all freezer, or all refrigerator. 